STUDENT-LED EXHIBITION FOCUSES ON REFUGEES WHO CAME TO SCOTLAND
Pupils at a Bishopbriggs school have been praised for their work in putting together an exhibition focusing on refugees who came to Scotland to escape the Holocaust.
The week-long student-led “Gathering the Voices” display at Turnbull High School contained a wealth of fascinating images and visual material bringing to life the experiences of the people who fled the Nazis.
Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay given a tour of the exhibition last week by S3 pupils Poppy Hannon and Grace Hamill.
She said: “I’m really impressed with the pupils who have been leading this amazing exhibition.
“I think this type of display is really important for future generations. It was a very dark time in our history and it’s important to know what happened.
“It has been a fascinating to see this display and I would especially like to thank my tour guides Poppy and Grace for their informative tour.
“I am sure all the young people involved have gained valuable insights that will stay with them throughout their lives.”
Turnbull High School was recognised last year for its good practice in Holocaust education. Along with St Ninian’s High School at Kirkintilloch, it received Vision School Scotland’s prestigious level two award.
Both schools were also commended for their commitment to continuing education on the Holocaust at a special event at the Scottish Parliament.
Speakers included the then Cabinet Secretary for Education Shirley-Anne Somerville and poet Michael Rosen.
Mr Rosen’s Polish aunt and uncle, who were Jewish, ‘disappeared’ during the Second World War and he later learned that they had been taken to Auschwitz, never to return.
Vision Schools Scotland is a partnership between the University of the West of Scotland and the Holocaust Educational Trust. It was set up back in 2017 after a successful pilot phase at a number of schools throughout Scotland, including East Dunbartonshire.
Awards are distributed to schools who have demonstrated sustainability, commitment and good practice in learning about the Holocaust.
Local MSP Rona Mackay is pictured with Poppy and Grace during her visit to the exhibition, and Turnbull High School history teacher Kayrene Jamieson.